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Meet our team of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu instructors

At Gracie Barra Laval, our instructors adhere to the high standards of etiquette, instruction, and philosophy established by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and the Gracie Barra Association. To uphold the integrity of our training and ensure a focus on safety, all instructors at our school are certified. Additionally, it is mandatory for all instructors to hold CPR and Basic First Aid certifications.

David GuiGui

Professor / Head Instructor

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Bruno Fernandes > David Guigui

Meet Your Head Instructor and Coach, David Guigui

David Guigui is a trailblazer in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts, boasting extensive experience as one of the foremost instructors in both Laval and Quebec. His martial arts journey began in 1995 under the tutelage of Angelo Exarhakos, quickly earning him accolades in national and local Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championships.

In 1997, Coach Guigui ventured into the amateur fighting arena, where his distinctive grappling style led to an impressive 25-3 record. His success in the amateur ranks paved the way to the professional scene with the IFC, where he had the opportunity to train alongside notable fighters like David Loiseau, Ivan Menjivar, Jonathan Goulet, Firas Zahabi, and Georges St-Pierre.

Since 2006, Coach Guigui has been a pivotal figure at Gracie Barra Montreal under Professor Bruno Fernandes. As a dedicated member of the Gracie Barra Organization, he excels in an old-school, guard-based fighting style. He embodies and teaches the Gracie Barra values of respect, integrity, brotherhood, and personal discipline, advocating the philosophy of “Jiu-Jitsu for everyone.”

As the head instructor at Gracie Barra Laval, Coach Guigui is committed to fostering a strong, inclusive team in his hometown. His goal is to cultivate an environment that every student can take pride in being part of.

Charlie Adams

Professor

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Bruno Fernandes > David Guigui
Charlie Adams is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a brown belt in Judo. His martial arts journey began at the age of 15, sharing a passion for combat sports with his father.
Charlie's initial foray into martial arts was through judo, training under Sensei Nakamura. His dedication and skill in judo led him to train with the national team, culminating in his brown belt rank.
A pivotal moment in Charlie's martial arts career came when he met Professor David Guigui and discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra Laval. This encounter opened new avenues in his martial arts journey, eventually leading to his black belt in BJJ.
Since then, Charlie has continuously expanded his skillset, embracing various disciplines of martial arts. He has competed in a diverse range of combat sports, including:

Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Judo
Kosen Judo
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Combat BJJ

Charlie's varied experience across multiple martial arts disciplines showcases his versatility and commitment to the world of combat sports.
Charlie Adams is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a brown belt in Judo. His martial arts journey began at the age of 15, sharing a passion for combat sports with his father.
Charlie's initial foray into martial arts was through judo, training under Sensei Nakamura. His dedication and skill in judo led him to train with the national team, culminating in his brown belt rank.
A pivotal moment in Charlie's martial arts career came when he met Professor David Guigui and discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra Laval. This encounter opened new avenues in his martial arts journey, eventually leading to his black belt in BJJ.
Since then, Charlie has continuously expanded his skillset, embracing various disciplines of martial arts. He has competed in a diverse range of combat sports, including:

Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Judo
Kosen Judo
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Combat BJJ

Charlie's varied experience across multiple martial arts disciplines showcases his versatility and commitment to the world of combat sports.

Francis Lemieux

Coach

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Bruno Fernandes > David Guigui

Tommy Thiboutot

Coach/Program Director

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Bruno Fernandes > David Guigui > David Guigui

Tommy, a 3rd degree purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, serves as the Program Director at Gracie Barra Laval. In his role, Tommy ensures every member has a safe and pleasant journey in learning Jiu-Jitsu. As the primary point of contact for the gym, he facilitates the seamless integration of new members while enhancing the experience for current ones. Tommy's dedication to his position fosters a strong and connected community within the gym, making Gracie Barra Laval a welcoming environment for all practitioners. In addition to his core responsibilities, Tommy manages the gym's social media presence, oversees the website, and handles communications.

Matias Palma

Coach

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Bruno Fernandes > David Guigui > David Guigui

Arianne Charette

Coach

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Bruno Fernandes > David Guigui

David GuiGui

Professor / Head Instructor

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Charlie Adams

Professor

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Bruno Fernandes > David Guigui
Charlie Adams is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a brown belt in Judo. His martial arts journey began at the age of 15, sharing a passion for combat sports with his father.
Charlie's initial foray into martial arts was through judo, training under Sensei Nakamura. His dedication and skill in judo led him to train with the national team, culminating in his brown belt rank.
A pivotal moment in Charlie's martial arts career came when he met Professor David Guigui and discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra Laval. This encounter opened new avenues in his martial arts journey, eventually leading to his black belt in BJJ.
Since then, Charlie has continuously expanded his skillset, embracing various disciplines of martial arts. He has competed in a diverse range of combat sports, including:

Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Judo
Kosen Judo
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Combat BJJ

Charlie's varied experience across multiple martial arts disciplines showcases his versatility and commitment to the world of combat sports.
Charlie Adams is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a brown belt in Judo. His martial arts journey began at the age of 15, sharing a passion for combat sports with his father.
Charlie's initial foray into martial arts was through judo, training under Sensei Nakamura. His dedication and skill in judo led him to train with the national team, culminating in his brown belt rank.
A pivotal moment in Charlie's martial arts career came when he met Professor David Guigui and discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra Laval. This encounter opened new avenues in his martial arts journey, eventually leading to his black belt in BJJ.
Since then, Charlie has continuously expanded his skillset, embracing various disciplines of martial arts. He has competed in a diverse range of combat sports, including:

Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Judo
Kosen Judo
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Combat BJJ

Charlie's varied experience across multiple martial arts disciplines showcases his versatility and commitment to the world of combat sports.

Francis Lemieux

Coach

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Bruno Fernandes > David Guigui

Tommy Thiboutot

Coach/Program Director

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Bruno Fernandes > David Guigui > David Guigui

Tommy, a 3rd degree purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, serves as the Program Director at Gracie Barra Laval. In his role, Tommy ensures every member has a safe and pleasant journey in learning Jiu-Jitsu. As the primary point of contact for the gym, he facilitates the seamless integration of new members while enhancing the experience for current ones. Tommy's dedication to his position fosters a strong and connected community within the gym, making Gracie Barra Laval a welcoming environment for all practitioners. In addition to his core responsibilities, Tommy manages the gym's social media presence, oversees the website, and handles communications.

Matias Palma

Coach

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Bruno Fernandes > David Guigui > David Guigui

Arianne Charette

Coach

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Bruno Fernandes > David Guigui